1997 was the year we adopted a
brief but powerful vision statement:
"To spread the good news
of Jesus Christ, make disciples,
love and care for others as Jesus
cares for us."
Dr. White made sure we applied the
vision statement to every ministry area and other activities at the
church. Once excellent example of caring was the growth in
membership of the Prayer team to 21 members.
We began a new doorstep ministry in which volunteers delivered a
green plant and an invitation to return to first time visitors.
The volunteers would gather following the 11:00 service and with the
help of key maps and a then-new computer mapping program were able to
fan across the community to be sure our visitors knew they were
welcome.
Worship times were slightly altered to allow more time for
Fellowship between the early service and Sunday School. This
time was made more enjoyable by donations of kolaches by long-time
members, and founders of "The Kolache Shoppe," Erwin and Pat
Ahrens.
We also had a change in Associate Pastors. Long-time AUMC
member, Reverend Harold Jones, decided to retire. Reverend
Jones became an ordained minister in his 60's, 2-years after he
retired from the Private Sector. His first duty was a traveling Pastor
in East Texas but he had been our Associate Pastor for nearly 5-years.
We were overjoyed to learn that another long-time
member-turned-minister was to replace Reverend Jones. Patty
Wehn-Glowski, then a candidate for the Ordained Ministry, was
appointed as our "Local Pastor" and would serve us while
completing seminary.
June of 1997 had us saying goodbye to the original church
parsonage on Westella Road. It had certainly seen its better
years but served us well. Dr. White and his family briefly lived
in the home of Gary and Katy Palmquist while awaiting completing of
the new parsonage. Then in July they moved into the new home at
14222 Heatherhill Place!
Near the end of the year Church Council affirmed the growing
needs of our Youth Minister by hiring Mary Ricker as a part-time Youth
Director with the intention of hiring a full time Youth director in
the near future.
